“King of the Ring” is the format of The Gulag Fight in Madrid: whoever wins keeps their spot for the next event, whoever loses does not return, and whoever wins three fights in a row takes the GULAG belt. No rankings, no points, no second chances. Just one path.
The motto says it all: “King of the Ring, whoever loses does not return.” Here we explain how it works and why it has changed the way people experience an event.
The rules, no fine print
- If you win, you move on. Your spot is reserved for the next event.
- If you lose, you’re out. You will not fight in GULAG again. No rematches.
- Three wins, the belt. After two wins, your next fight is for the belt. If you win it, you take home the GULAG belt.
- Draw or no decision. Both move on, but neither moves up.
- A win is a win. It doesn’t matter if it’s by KO, on points, or by disqualification: it counts the same.
Why there is no ranking
Many promoters have rankings, points for KOs, and named weight classes. Not The Gulag Fight. The reason is simple: a ranking allows you to lose and move on. Not here.
That detail changes everything that happens in the ring. No one goes out to speculate or save their strength for the next one. Every fight could be the last. And the audience knows it.
There are also no named weight classes
Fights are agreed upon by weight. At the weigh-in, the day before, each fighter must weigh in under the agreed weight. There is no “lightweight” or “middleweight”: there is a number, and you have to meet it.
The GULAG belt and the champion of champions
Three consecutive wins are no small feat. It means winning at three different events, against opponents who have also come from winning. Whoever does it takes the GULAG belt and keeps it.
And it doesn’t end there. Those who have the belt await the champion of champions: a future event between those who have already won it. It is the pinnacle of the path.
What changes for the audience
For those who come to watch, the format turns the events into a series. You don’t come to watch standalone fights: you come to watch chapters.
- You know who has come from winning and how many wins they have.
- You know that whoever loses tonight will not be seen in GULAG again.
- You know that someone is one win away from the belt.
That explains a good part of the four consecutive sold-out events and the more than 1.2 million views on Instagram. People follow the fighters from one edition to the next and return.
What changes for the fighter
For a fighter, the format is an opportunity and pressure. The opportunity: a clear goal, a belt, and an audience that follows you. The pressure: there is no safety net. If you make a mistake, it’s over.
That is why The Gulag Fight talks about fighters for fighters. It was founded by Enrique Sanchiz, a former kickboxing and K1 fighter, and Iván Rueda, an active kickboxing and muay thai fighter. They know that a fighter wants real opponents, and the format guarantees it: only those who have won are on the card.
From GULAG I to GULAG V
The path started at GULAG I, at Sala Cats, in February 2026. It went through GULAG II, also at Cats, and reached Jowke Club in Alcorcón with GULAG III and GULAG IV. All sold out.
Now it’s time for GULAG V. Still without a date: it will be announced on Instagram, at @thegulag.fight. What is clear is that the winners of GULAG IV have their spot reserved. If it’s your first time, read first what a K1 event is and how to experience it.
And if you want to wear the motto, the Gulag Fight t-shirt features the shield on the front and the laurel crown with stars on the back. The rest, in the store.
An example to understand it
Imagine a fighter who debuts at a GULAG event and wins. Their spot is reserved for the next one. They return, win again: they already have two, and their next fight is for the belt. If they win that third one, they take the GULAG belt and move on to await the champion of champions. If they lose in any of those three fights, it’s over: they do not return.
Now imagine that in the second fight there is a draw. They stay on the path, but they are left with one win. They have to win again to reach two. That is why a draw is not a good result for anyone: it doesn’t kick you out, but it doesn’t bring you closer either.
So you don’t miss the next one, save the The Gulag Fight events page: when there is a date, it will be released with its ticket link.
Keep reading
- What a K1 event in Madrid is and how to experience it for the first time
- GULAG IV in Jowke (Alcorcón): fourth event, fourth sold out
Frequently asked questions
What does “King of the Ring” mean in The Gulag Fight?
That whoever wins moves on to the next event and whoever loses does not fight in GULAG again. With three wins, the belt.
How many wins are needed for the GULAG belt?
Three. After two wins, the next fight is for the belt.
What happens if there is a draw?
Both fighters stay on the path, but neither adds a win.
Is there a ranking or points for KOs?
No. A win counts the same whether it’s by KO, on points, or by disqualification. There is no ranking or points.
Can a fighter who loses return?
No. In GULAG, whoever loses does not return.
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